High temperatures and sunshine should bathe the south of England today as f orecasters predict the mercury will reach 19C (66.2F).

Forecasters at the Met Office said yesterday's temperatures will continue across the region but will drop to the mid-teens from tomorrow onwards.

Met Office forecaster Tom Morgan said those in the south should make the most of today's sun as "it won't be nearly as warm" next week, though it will still be dry and mild for this time of the year.

Mr Morgan said today would be fine across southern parts of England: " It will be cloudy across western parts of the country and in Wales. London will see the highest temperatures."

The capital saw a high of 19.3C (66.7F) in St James's Park yesterday, and Mr Morgan said the city would see similar highs today.

But there is no such luck for northern England and Northern Ireland and Scotland, with the Met Office predicting cloud and s ome drizzle for h illy areas across north-west England.

Mr Morgan added southern England and Wales would stay dry next week because of "high pressure keeping things settled", but more cloud could be on its way for the south of England from tomorrow onwards.

In northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the weather will stay more unsettled with cloud and rain expected next week.

The highest temperature recorded for the UK so far this year was 20.5C (69F) in Gravesend, Kent, last Sunday.